With the Easter bank holiday approaching, partners are coming together to encourage visitors to come and enjoy the National Park but to plan ahead to make the most of the landscape safely and responsibly this weekend.
Eryri annually sees a significant increase in visitors to the National Park when Easter arrives, particularly at honeypot sites such as Yr Wyddfa, Ogwen and Llyn Tegid.
While this is a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors and the benefit it brings in terms of health and wellbeing and enjoying the company of friends and family, it can also bring added pressure in relation to parking, paths and emergency services.
The Mountain Rescue Teams at Llanberis and Ogwen are two of the busiest in the United Kingdom and are already experiencing record numbers of callouts, with some incidents occurring on the same day, placing significant pressure on their volunteer teams.
Tim Harrop from the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation said:
“Many of our callouts are preventable. People often underestimate the conditions or set off without the right equipment. In North Wales the weather can change very quickly so you need to be appropriately prepared, and remember you can always turn back, the mountains will always be there.”
Keira Sweenie, Director of Planning and Partnerships for Eryri National Park Authority said:
“Car parks across Eryri can fill up quickly during busy periods, so arriving early, considering alternative arrangements and choosing less busy locations can help improve enjoyment in the National Park for everyone.
Parking at Pen y Pass operates on a pre-booking system, and spaces must be reserved in advance. Visitors without a booking for that specific car park are advised not to travel directly to the site and instead to make use of the fantastic park and ride services from Llanberis and Nant Peris.
Please look after our environment by not parking irresponsibly and by taking your litter home.”
Jamie Owens, North Wales Police Inspector added:
“If you plan to take a hike up any of the mountains in Eryri, make sure that you are suitably equipped and that you don’t take any unnecessary risks, that will go a long way to assist our mountain rescue colleagues. If you plan to take any nighttime walks please make sure as you transit through the villages to make sure that you keep disturbance to a minimum to respect local residents”.
Gerwyn Jones, Assistant Head of Environment Department (Transport), Gwynedd Council, said:
“We would encourage everyone looking to enjoy what Gwynedd has to offer to consider travelling by public transport where possible. A journey by bus or train can be an attraction in itself and a fantastic way to take in the stunning scenery. Doing so also helps reduce parking pressures and traffic congestion that can arise at some of the most popular destinations and environmentally sensitive locations.”
“For those travelling by car, we ask motorists to plan their journey in advance, park responsibly, respect parking restrictions, and keep roads clear and safe to allow emergency services to carry out their work and to ensure the flow of traffic.”
“With the poor weather over the winter having affected the condition of a number of public paths in Gwynedd, including the closure and diversion of some sections of the coastal path, it is important that anyone planning to use these routes takes this into account by planning ahead, avoiding closed areas, and wearing appropriate clothing.”
Visitors are being encouraged to follow the Countryside Code and AdventureSmart messaging to make this Easter an enjoyable weekend for all.